Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for more flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.
Since the picnic in the park, peace has prevailed in the household, but for how long? Chan's birthday is coming up and Evan wants to do something special. Will he be able to do that or will he make things worse? See what's going on in this week's chapter of Super Trooper. Don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what's up with them. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!
A week had passed since the picnic in the park. An
uneventful week, neither bad nor good. No more outbursts or bad behavior.
Homework and chores were done to satisfaction, bedtimes observed without too
much whining. And yet, Evan found himself in the guest room almost every other
night. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. Mostly bad dreams. Sometimes
Kamal claimed to hear someone in his room, and refused to believe there was no
one there, despite Chan showing him otherwise.
Evan accepted whatever reason was given and he never complained. This too would pass, he
was sure. Life would return to normal.
At least he hoped so.
Chan’s birthday was coming up. This would be his
first birthday since they had begun to live together, and also the first since
the death of his parents. Evan wanted to celebrate the occasion, but thought he
should keep it low-key, under the circumstances. He wanted to do something special for his
lover, but what?
Chan was working a half day. Luckily he only had to
work two Saturdays a month. Evan wasn’t scheduled until Monday. Kamal was
playing at the home of a friend who lived nearby. Madhu was keeping herself occupied with some
blocks, sitting cross-legged on the living floor. Laksha was reading a book,
but she kept a watchful eye on her sister.
Evan stood in the doorway between the kitchen and
living room, unaware he was staring until Laksha glanced up to meet his gaze.
“Is something wrong?” she asked.
“No, no,” he assured her. “I was just thinking.” She
returned to her book, apparently satisfied with his response. But he did have
something on his mind. He just wasn’t sure if she would be interested in
helping him.
He wouldn’t know until he tried, would he.
“Laksha,” he started again, hoping she wouldn’t be
annoyed with him. The look she gave him was more curious than anything. “You
know Chan’s birthday is soon…”
The young girl nodded.
“I was thinking about making him a special dinner.
What would you think of that idea?”
“I think that would be good,” she agreed. “Did you
have something in mind?”
“Yes, I did.” Evan drew closer as he spoke, taking a
seat at the end of the couch. “I’d like to make some of the dishes your… mother
used to make.” He tried not to pause too long on the word, make it sound
natural and good. She didn’t seem to notice.
“The trouble is,” he continued. “I’m not the cook
Chan is, not even close. And I’ve never made those dishes before. What I was
wondering… Would you… I mean could you…” Why was it so hard for him to ask a
simple question? Maybe because he was afraid of upsetting her? Or maybe he was
even more afraid of her rejection?
Just
ask the question.
“I was wondering if you’d be interested in helping
make your brother’s dinner? Maybe show me how to make some of the foods you and
Chan love?” If she said no, there was
always the Internet, of course. Maybe he should just have gone that route first
and not said anything?
“I think that’s a great idea,” Laksha said. “Maa
taught me a few dishes. I think Chan would like that.”
Evan was surprised to discover he’d been holding his
breath, waiting for her response. He let it out in relieved sigh and darted a
glance at Laksha. Was she really smiling at him? She was.
“You want this to be a surprise, right? Can I make
the cake?”
Evan’s heart swelled at her enthusiasm. He’d assumed
he would pick up something at the bakery, but if she wanted to do this for her
brother, who was he to tell her no. “Absolutely,” he replied. “I think that’s a
great idea.”
“Then I will start to plan the menu. Secretly,” she
added with a knowing look.
“Sounds good. We can go shopping for the ingredients
together, if you like?” Had he pushed his luck with that particular request?
“Okay, “ she said just as Madhu knocked down a stack
of blocks. The small girl began to clap, obviously proud of her accomplishment.
“Good job,” Laksha praised her. Madhu giggled and
patted the floor. Laksha closed her book and set it down before sliding onto
the floor next to Madhu.
“Thank you,” Evan said, his heart appreciably
lighter as he returned to the kitchen to finish the dishes.
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